GO TO MLS FANTASY SOCCER: MANAGER HOME
Reminder #1: The cut off time to make roster changes is 15 minutes prior to the scheduled kick off of the first match of the week. This week, that deadline is 9:45 pm ET on Wednesday.
Reminder #2: Every team plays in Fantasy Round 32. Seattle is the only team that plays twice.
Top Players in Round 31: Chris Wondolowski & Jack McInerney – 17 points
Key Injuries: OUT – Matt Pickens, A.J. DeLaGarza, Felipe Martins, Brandon Barklage, Quincy Amarikwa
Round 32 has all teams playing at least once, while the Seattle Sounders are the only team with multiple games on their schedule. Felipe Martins is out for the season with after undergoing sports hernia surgery. Find a way to drop him from your squad and pick up a midfielder who’s likely to perform in the clutch. I’ve listed a few midfielders below who can help you fill the void.
Pay close attention to this week's injury report. You’ll have to finalize your roster based solely on Tuesday’s report, so take it for what it’s worth when looking at players with games later in the week. Review the current list of suspensions and monitor the list of yellow card accumulations as well. Those scheduled to play multiple games may not be worth the risk so choose wisely.
Patrice Bernier, $7.6m, Montreal Impact (151 points, fourth among midfielders)
After drawing in back-to-back games, the Montreal Impact will look to finish their expansion season on a strong note. With their drop striker – Felipe – out with a season-ending injury, Bernier will look to overtake the lead for assists. Felipe currently leads Bernier by two assists, but with two games left against inferior opponents, look for the team leader in goals to try and overtake the Brazilian for the lead in both categories. Bernier has been impressive this season, accumulating nine goals and eight assists in just 23 starts and 2014 total minutes played.
Jay DeMerit, $6.6m, Vancouver Whitecaps (140 points, T-sixth among defenders)
DeMerit has been without a doubt one of the most important defensive players in the league this season, and Vancouver are holding on to that fifth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference with two games left in the season. The Whitecaps have not lost a game at home since Aug. 15 and have recorded clean sheets in back-to-back meetings at home. Portland have struggled all season and DeMerit will look to do everything in his power to help secure a playoff spot for his team.
Mauro Rosales, $9.8m, Seattle Sounders (132 points, seventh among midfielders)
With both Dwayne De Rosario and Felipe now out with season-ending injuries, Seattle Sounders midfielder Mauro Rosales now sits fifth among active midfielders in total points for the season. With Seattle being the only team with multiple games this week, there’s no question why the Argentinian midfielder is the most added player in FS:M this round. With Felipe out, Rosales is an easy add. The price difference will be hard to make up, though, so you might just have to make a few extra moves if you want to finalize this transfer.
Luis Silva, $5.8, Toronto FC (103 points, T-27th among midfielders)
Silva has been and absolute gem this season. Several rookies have started out strong and then faded, but the UCSB alum has remained consistent all the way through. He’s played in 20 games this season while recording five goals and five assists. Most of his production has come in the latter part of the season, with one goal and three assists coming in the last four rounds. Sure he’s had some knocks, but if I were grading the top rookies of the 2012 season, Silva would be among the top five.
Michael Gspurning, $6.3m, Seattle Sounders, (93 points, 18th among goalkeepers)
By no means is Gspurning a cheap fill-in. His $6.3m asking price is tied for the fourth most among all goalkeepers, but this week he’s worth it. Gspurning has logged clean sheets in back-to-back games and this week he’s the only 'keeper with multiple games on the schedule. Seattle don't face the easiest of teams, but they however play both of their matches at home. Look for the big Austrian to do everything in his power to shut down the attack of both Real Salt Lake and FC Dallas.
The Most
Most added transfer this week: Mauro Rosales
Most dropped transfer this week: Felipe Martins
